We spend everyday at work so why not make it Eco-friendly as well. First start at your cubicle. Then who knows the whole building might follow your steps to working at a much greener place. Here are ten steps to be more green at your workplace:
1. "For many people, a computer is the central tool at work. Optimizing the energy settings for computers and other devices can be more than a modest energy saver. Set computers to energy-saving settings and make sure to shut them down when you leave for the day (“standby” settings will continue to draw power even when not in use)."
2. "The greenest paper is no paper at all, so keep things digital and dematerialized whenever possible. The more you do online, the less you need paper. Keep files on computers instead of in file cabinets (this also makes it easier to make offsite backup copies or take them with you when you move to a new office). Review documents onscreen rather than printing them out. Send emails instead of paper letters."
3. "When buying printer paper, look for recycled paper with a high percentage of post-consumer content and the minimum of chlorine bleaching......When using the real stuff, print on both sides of the page when appropriate and use misprints as notepaper."
4. "American workers spend an average of 47 hours per year commuting through rush hour traffic. This adds up to 3.7 billion hours and 23 billion gallons of gas wasted in traffic each year. We can ease some of this strain by carpooling, taking public transit, biking, walking, or a creative combination thereof. If there’s no good way to phase out your car, consider getting a hybrid, electric vehicle, motorcycle, scooter, or using a car sharing service like Flexcar or Zipcar."
5. "You might be amazed how sharp work clothes from thrift stores can look. If you buy new, get clothes made with organic or recycled fibers. Avoid clothes that need to be dry cleaned, and if they so demand it, seek out your local “green” dry cleaner."
6. "Instant messaging, video conferencing, and other innovative workflow tools make effective telecommuting a reality. If you can telecommute, hold phone conferences, take online classes, or otherwise work from home, give it a try. It'll save you the time you would have spent on the trip as well as sparing the air. As a bonus, you get to work in your pajamas."
7. "Some paper use can't be avoided, so use recycled paper and envelopes that have been processed and colored using eco-friendly methods. Pens and pencils can also be made of recycled materials, and refillable pens and markers are preferable to disposable ones."
8. "Greening the space in which you work has almost limitless possibilities. Start with good furniture, good lighting, and good air. Furniture can be manufactured from recycled materials as well as recyclable. Herman-Miller and Steelcase are two groundbreaking companies that have adopted the Cradle-to-Cradle protocol for many of their office chairs. Incandescent bulbs can be replaced with compact fluorescents and there is an ever-growing selection of high-end LED desk lamps that use miniscule amounts of energy. Not only is natural daylight a free source of lighting for the office, it has been proven to improve worker productivity and satisfaction (as well as boost sales in retail settings). Workspace air quality is also crucial."
9. "Bringing lunch to work in reusable containers is likely the greenest (and healthiest) way to eat at work. Getting delivery and takeout almost inevitably ends with a miniature mountain of packaging waste. But if you do order delivery, join coworkers in placing a large order (more efficient than many separate ones). Also, bring in a reusable plate, utensils, and napkins. If you do go out for lunch, try biking or walking instead of driving."
10. "Share these tips with your colleagues. Ask your boss to purchase carbon offsets for corporate travel by car and plane. Arrange an office carpool or group bike commute. Trade shifts and job duties so that you can work four long days instead of five short ones."
I'm surprise how practical the tips are. Quotes and images from treehugger.com under "How to Green your Work."

Bottega Veneta
I really HATE how much paper we use at work!!!
1Great post! Thanks for helping get the word out about how easy it is to go green!
Director of PR - SwitchPlanet.com
2Great post! GO GREEN!
3these are great suggestions!! I have tried sooo hard form the day I started here to make people aware of the insane waste they genrate, but most of them really don't care. I have offered to put boxes uner people's desks for paper but only 3 people have taken me up & one of them just left
We have bins for cans that one wonam takes to her church for the youth group to raise money, but people just throw them in thier trash cans!!!
I have even sent out emails reminding people about the bins
but they just don't give a damn!
So I sneak around & pull paper & cans out of people's trash cans! I even do it at school. There are can & bottle bins all over the place & people just chuck them in the trash. I just don't get people who do that sh*t.
4Great tips. I'll pass them on!
5_________________________
Don't worry 'bout a ting!
carbon offsetting is a great way to zero out your carbon and your guilt... terrapass is a neat site, but you can also offset through other orgs like the EPA and Nature Conservancy.
I'm currently an expert on carbon offsetting for my job!
6Great and useable tips.
Style Before Comfort!
7Great post!!
8Good tip!
"Believe What You See, Not What You Hear!"
9Wonderful tips!
10Super helpful!
11we recycle paper, I bring lunch, I use the back sides of scrap printer paper, we make tablets from used paper, we shred and use it as packing for shipping.
12great post!
13thanks for the tips!
14Though I'm not working, these are great tips! Tnx.
15One thing I learned at a meeting about how to really be "green" in the workplace is that if you are not really recycling unless your company buys recycled paper. It is great if your office has recycle bins, but if you still buy non-recycled paper you are not closing the loop. Some companies think it is too expensive to buy recycled products, but that is not always the case. So, fight these battles in your offices. It is worth it!
16Great tips -- and reminders!
The world is full of paper. Write to me. -- Agha Shahid Ali
17Go Green
18Awesome post! The amount of paper wasted in one work day is disgusting. I also suggest turning off lights when you leave a room.
19VERY IMPORTANT post.Glad you posted it....
20Excellent posting! It seems people tend to forget about being green at the office. My biggest pet peeve is those who throw the pop cans in the trash.
21Post A Comment
To post comments, please log in or register.